Ana flew into the meeting room like a bat out of hell. Her eyes blazed with righteous indignation. Her eyes never leaving Otter, her fist cocked back and ready to fire on his face. She clearly didn't come to talk or listen. She was there for one reason and that was to enact her revenge.
"I've finally found you! It's time you pay for your crimes!" Ana screamed
Owl and Puppy rushed to get between them. They still weren't fully understanding, but they knew they needed to protect Otter. Livvy rushed to Otter's side. She didn't know the man, but figured if he saved her life then he can't be a bad guy. Otter stood as still as a statue. He wasn't resisting, but he also wasn't telling Owl and Puppy to stand down either. He didn't know what he wanted, or what the right thing to do here was. Ana had every reason to hate him, but does he not have the right to live and grow from his past.
"Girls! Stay out of the way. I've got this one." Otter said
The girls hesitantly moved, and Ana wasted no time clearing the difference. She slammed her fist into the side of his face. Otter stumbled back, but didn't try to defend himself. The girls started to move towards him, but he stuck out an arm to say stay away. He didn't know how to calm her, but he knew that for her to have a better future he had to do something.
Ana kept up the barrage, and Otter absorbed the abuse. After several minutes of attacking, Ana paused to catch her breath. Otter took the opening to say what he wanted to say.
"If killing me could cure the pain, I'd die a hundred times. It won't though, it will only cause you more pain. Look at your knuckles. They're bloody and raw, they probably sting right now. Hate only hurts the hater. Your gramps was a good… was a great man. I do deeply regret what I did that day. And I know no amount of apologizing will ever fix the damage I've caused. I don't blame you for hating me, and I'm not asking you to forgive me. I'm asking you to move on and live. Live the life your grandpa would want for you. Live a life free of me and my rot. Don't rot with me in the pits of hate and despair."
Ana's eyes softened for a moment. The monster that haunted her every second. The monster with glowing blood red eyes. The monster who took her ability to have dreams, and left her with only nightmares. Now stood in front of her, and looked nothing like she imagined. She pictured a tall daunting figure with bloodshot and crazy eyes. Rippling muscles that could rip a man in two. A bloodthirsty attitude, and a soulless personality. However, the man in front of her was tall, but looked frail and broken. His eyes were sunken and tired. His frame was thin, and his attitude repentant and meek. For just a moment she was looking at the real Otter. For just a moment she felt a twinge of pity. The moment passed like moments pass in a flash. Her rage returned, but the violence ceased.
"It's to late for me to live a normal life. I drowned in the rot the day you killed my grandpa. The day you took my only family." Ana said bitterly
Otter understood what it felt like to feel and be ALONE. He questioned himself for even trying to help her. He caused her pain, and now he's essentially telling her to get over it and move on. He has some set of balls to think he had any right. Still, he wanted to help her. He wanted her to see that life is more than a bad day.
"Ana, I'd like to tell you a story, and I hope you'll listen. It doesn't justify or ask for your sympathy. I only hope you will listen. Can you give me five minutes?" Otter asked
Ana nodded her head and said "You've got two, now start before I change my mind."
Otter internally smiled, at least something he said got through to her. "I was born to an alcoholic father who would beat me and my mother for the thrill of it, and a mother who worked as a prostitute. My mother would use me as her emotional support, but beat me if I ever agreed with her. Well, she'd beat me if I didn't as well. My life from birth was hell. My mother murdered my father, and had me lie to the authorities. If you thought life would get better, you'd be wrong. She became even more abusive, and it fell on me to provide for both of us. Finally, when I was around ten I had had enough and I killed my mother. I didn't do it out of hate or maliciousness, but out of survival. Now don't get me wrong, I hated my mother and I'm glad she's dead. But, I would have died if she'd been alive. I've killed ten people, and I regret each and every one of them. I was in survival mode, all alone, with no one I could turn to. Your grandpa saved me numerous times, and I realized far too late how lucky I was to have met him. When you're living everyday in constant survival mode. You don't look beyond the surface. You only see what's directly ahead of you. You miss the world around you, and hurt those who try to help you. When Master Hades found me, and took me in he showed me all the things I missed. Still, it wasn't till meeting these girls that I learned how to truly live. They have dreams beyond surviving. They dream years and years into the future. I hope you can find your own Puppy and Owl. Find people who accept you and push you to be better. That's all I got for you. I'm sorry to ramble so much, but I want you to understand the man you hate. If you still want to hate me, at least hate the real me."
Ana had nothing, no anger, words, or thoughts. She marinated in the story Otter told, and tried to imagine living through that. As the seconds passed the conflict in her head intensified. She can't forgive him for what he's done, but she also can see how he ended up in the tragic situation of killing her grandpa. She found the ability to hate that came as naturally to her as breathing. Now it was completely unreachable. She tried to find that hate, but only sorrow was present.
"You poor man! I'm so sorry you had to go through all that." Livvy said wailing
Livvy ran over and hugged Otter, soaking him in her tears. Otter was stunned and unable to respond with anything more than "It's fine"
Livvy didn't like that answer and firmly said "No it's not! You were a child and didn't ask to be born. Your parents are monsters who never deserved a light as bright and as beautiful as yours."
"A light?" Ana muttered in shock
Her grandpa use to say that Otter had a light brighter than the sun, but no where to let it shine. After his death, she had believed that her grandpa was mistaken. Nobody who would kill an innocent old man could live in the light. She wondered if it was her who was blinded by darkness.
Ana looked at Puppy and Owl asked "You two, Pippy and Oral I believe it was. Do you also believe he has a light in him?"
Owl quickly jumping on Ana responded "It's Owl and Puppy you crazy bitch. Bah, of course I think he has a light inside of him. Have you ever taken a second to feel his aura? Sure it's depressing as hell, but it's also calm and warm."
Puppy added to her friend's comments. "I agree fully with Owl. He's the only person I met with an aura that lacks hostility. Not that he isn't capable of it, but that genuinely seems to be searching for peace. I hope that he will continue to travel with us, and that one day we can be his peace."
Livvy also chimed in "I just met him, and from what Puppy's told me. They haven't known him long either, but I would like to also follow him. I just hope he'll let me."
The room fell silent, and everyone turned their attention to Livvy. The silence stretched on for an uncomfortable amount of time. Livvy felt the sting of rejection growing ever more prevalent, but just as she was about to take back her request Otter gave her his answer.
"Ok, as long as Puppy and Owl are cool with it. I'd be honored to have you on the team." His smile looked unnatural, but sincere and warm.
In unison the girls said "Of course you can join us."
Puppy added "You got everyone to calm down and return to rational thinking. We were frozen in indecisiveness. Thank you for helping our friend."
Otter felt a wave of emotion rise up. He'd never felt worthy of friends or a future. He felt blessed to have the girls in his life, and even more blessed to add someone like Livvy to the family.
Ana's conflict only grew more. She couldn't figure out how someone like Otter, by his own admittance, is a murderer. How could he earn such devout loyalty and trust? The contradictions, confusion, anger, and doubt grew and grew until.
"ENOUGH! I can't take it anymore. None of this changes what you did. I refuse to let you off the hook. You tell me some sob story, and I'm just supposed to forget you murdered my family? Well too bad, I can't and won't forget. So what am I supposed to do now?"
The dam that had kept the pain, regret, and loneliness back finally broke. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, and her knees buckled as she crumpled to the floor. Everyone wanted to rush to her, but what would they say? What can make the hurting end.
"You can start by doing what you're doing. Crying isn't weakness, or dishonoring the dead. It's how we show those we love that we care. So cry, cry till you can't cry anymore. Then pick yourself back up, and keep on living. Go where you want and do what you want. It won't fix anything that I've done, but I'll help however I can." Otter said firmly
Otter walked up to her and wrapped her in a hug, and she unloaded all her grief and anger and pain onto him. He just knelt there holding her tightly. He decided he would take on her pain and give her the chance she needed to live free.
Ana cried for the next ten minutes, and used up so much energy passed out in Otter's arms. He carried her to a couch in the other room to let her rest up. Upon returning the meeting could finally start.
Apollo clearing throat began "Well, now that that's handled let's give you guys the run down on the job. The great mine just outside of our fine village has been taken over by a White Wolf. Many an adventurer has tried and failed to kill the foul beast. It's become so bad that I fear the mine has become a monster hive. We ask that you eliminate the White Wolf and thin out the other monsters if you don't mind."
Otter nodded along slowly, but his eyes seemed focus on something the chief wasn't saying. Owl and Puppy seemed to be catching onto the same thing, but Livvy was completely clueless. After sitting on it for several beats Otter asked the real question.
"You're telling us a White Wolf has taken over the mine, and created a monster hive. On top of that numerous adventurers have tried and failed to slay the beast. I'm I missing anything?" The chief nodded indicating he wasn't so Otter continued. "We've known each other for a bit now. Enough I assumed you'd offer me the courtesy of being honest with me."
Apollo dropped his head and admitted "I'm sorry Otter…the truth is we don't know. We do believe that the monster is a Greater White Wolf. Possibly an Alpha White Wolf."
Puppy and Owl both gasped at the mention of an Alpha. An Alpha is the third highest form a monster can have. Above it is an Elder, and above that is a god. Alpha's are considered S-Rank.
Puppy stammered "An S-Ranked monster? The highest rank an adventurer or monster can achieve? This is bad, I don't know if we're ready for a job like that."
Owl nodded in agreement, but Otter stared at them confused. The girls noticed and looked confused by his confusion.
Owl asked "Don't tell me you didn't know that? It's like adventuring 101. Man, all that research must have fried your brain."
Again Otter looked at them confused. "What are you talking about? There's two levels above S-Rank. It goes S-Rank or country Rank, Double S-Rank or Continental Rank, and Triple S-Rank or World Rank. Muscle Mommy over there falls in Double S-Rank, and technically I'd fall in S-Rank. Officially though I'm A-Rank like you girls."
Puppy and Owl looked at each other and then back at Otter. Otter was being choked out by Molly who didn't appreciate the nickname. Otter, an already pale skinned guy was now several shades bluer. Livvy, who hadn't spoken since the meeting started, had a dead eye stare. She couldn't keep up with all the info and it overloaded her simple mind.
Molly still strangling Otter checked in on Livvy. "Hey hun, you doing ok over there? You're looking a bit…overwhealmed. Did we lose you somewhere, I'm sure Otter wouldn't mind helping you. Isn't that right my little grim reaper?"
Otter's face had taken on a purple hue, and Puppy was pretty sure he'd passed out from lack of oxygen a while ago. Satisfied with her work she returned to her seat next to Livvy and gave the girl a pat on the head.
Livvy turned to Molly and said "I need help with everything. I haven't understood any of it."
Molly turned to the still purple Otter and said "Rise and shine zombie boy. Your newest party member needs everything explained."
Otter woke up coughing and wheezing. Struggled to regain his breath, his eyes were watering from the experience. He glared at Molly while he fought for life. After several minutes of choking he regained his composure.
"Damn it you stupid ogre! Was your brain replaced by a third bicep? You could have freakin killed me! Now what's the problem?"
Molly gave Otter a death glare, to which he surrendered immediately. "Your new friend here is confused by everything. Mind helping her?"
Otter dropped his head in his hands. He hated having to spell things out. He was never good at helping people who weren't fast learners. He gave a pleading look to the girls, but they just smiled conspiratorially and nodded for him to help her.
With a sigh he began "Ok, I'll try to keep this simple. There are adventurer ranks that go from E to Triple S. E rank is for those who aren't naturally gifted enough to be sent on even the basic jobs. Another name for these people are Academy Rank. D-Ranks can only take gathering, finding, or manual labor jobs. C-Ranks can take kill quest, but only weak monsters like blue slimes. B-Ranks can do escort jobs and kill quest. A-Ranks can take everything a B can, but they also can do dungeon quest. S-Ranks can take on anything but decade and century quests. Double S can do decade, and Triple S can do any job including century quests. There is one more type of quest, but you'd have to be a suicidal fool to take it. This is called a Divine quest. A Divine quest basically is you going to kill a god or one of the four Divine beast. You with me so far?"
Livvy needed no time to think. "Nope! I have no idea what your talking about, but I'm still having fun so it's cool."
Otter thought to himself that she's lucky she's cute. Otherwise she'd be totally screwed. "Ok, we'll leave that alone, and try again later. The mission we're on originally was to kill a White Wolf. However, now we have reason to believe the beast is actually an Alpha White Wolf. Monster ranks work as follows: Base level, Greater level, King Level, Alpha Level, Elder Level, and god Level. How about that, could you follow that?"
Livvy looked up at the ceiling with a finger to her chin thinking. Otter had a sneaking suspicion that she didn't follow that part either. To his surprise her response subverted expectation.
"Yeah…if I got this right the White Wolf that brought you here represents the Base Level you mentioned. So, this Alpha White Wolf is massively stronger and thus changes the difficulty level of the job. Did I do it? Did I do a smart?"
Everyone at the table looked at Livvy in shock. She got it perfectly right. She can't figure out much, but apparently this is right in her wheelhouse.
"Well…Otter, will you still take the job?" Apollo asked nervously
Otter turned to face Apollo, and gave him a are you serious right now look. Apollo gave him a pleading look right back. Owl and Puppy watched the back and forth of their wordless conversation.
Livvy decided if nobody would talk she'd do it for them. "Yeah, we'll take the job. It's going to be a blast right guys?!"
The smile she wore didn't match the look on anyone else's face. Obliviously, she paid no heed to their sour looks. Instead, smiling at the idea of going on a fun adventure with her new friends.
Otter dropped his head in his hands again and took some time to do breathing exercises. He was starting to regret his decision to let her join. She was fun and had great energy, but she was dumb as rocks. A pain in his stomach reminded him of why he hated Hebi so much. The stress and responsibility always gave him intense stomach pains. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bottle of antacids. Taking two he waited a minute to let them kick in before moving.
"Alright, I guess we're doing the job. I'm sure we won't get killed…probably."
Owl and Puppy seemed nervous, but Livvy looked happy. A twinge of something deeper pushed at the edge of her eyes. Otter and the girls missed it. Molly on the other hand caught it, but chose to stay quiet.
Apollo seemed satisfied with the decision, and gave a hearty smile as he left the room to get a snack. Otter never had a reason to not trust the Chief, but he was beginning to wonder how much he could really trust the guy.
With the meeting over the party headed back to the inn. On their way, the group ran into a young man sitting on a bench. He wasn't looking at the group, but Otter still felt the need to go into high alert. This guy was dangerous, and made sure to deliberately be in their path. When the party was just about to walk past him the young man stood and took two steps. This put him directly in Otter and friends' way.
The young man wore a white button down with ruffles on his collar and end of his sleeves. Black dress pants, and white loafers. The top two buttons were undone, Otter thought he looked like a nobleman's playboy son. The guy's ashy white hair was just above shoulder length and messy. Even so it looked good on him. He was born lucky enough to be able to pull off the sloppy look. His hazy grey eyes had a sharpness not unlike a predator stalking his prey. Based on his gaze, his prey was Otter. Otter didn't look all that concerned, but he kept a steady gaze on the man. He wasn't looking for a fight, but wouldn't let his guard down if the man had other ideas.
Otter spoke first "So kid, can we help you with something? If you need directions we're new to the area as well. Still, if you keep going that way you'll find the Chief's house. I'm sure he'll help you out."
The young man didn't move or react. He just stared intensely at Otter. It was like he was trying to use his mind to blow him up or something. Otter still kept an air of unfazed apathy. The girls who didn't start off feeling uneasy, found themselves adjusting their stance in case they had to react. Molly was the only one not adjusting. She looked completely over the situation and wanting to go home.
Bored of the conflict Molly said "Hey, this doesn't concern me so I'm leaving. See you later zombie boy."
Otter couldn't help but turn for a moment to give Molly a stink eye. He quickly returned his focus to the young man.
"So, you got a name, or should I stick with kid?"
The young man took a second but finally spoke. "Names mean nothing to the dead."
Otter giving a half impressed nod retorted "Spooky, but talk like that doesn't impress me much. So cut the shit and either move or state your business."
For the first time the young man seemed bothered by Otter. His nostrils flared and his brow furrowed. His eyes narrowed, and his body tensed a bit. Otter could tell this kid was all talk. He probably had decent strength, but not near enough experience to make use of it.
Otter put a hand on Puppy's shoulder and told them "You ladies go ahead and get us set up at an inn. I'll stick around here and talk to smokey hair."
The girls looked back at Otter who gave them a reassuring nod. They reluctantly ran past the young man who made no attempt to stop them. This confirmed Otter's suspicion that the guy was here for him. Otter wouldn't admit it, but he was glad that the girls weren't the targets. He knows they can handle themselves, but he'd much rather be the person everyone wants to kill.
Otter, now feeling more free to move, pushed the young man for information. "So, I'm doubting you're here to ask me out. I also doubt you're looking to tell me you're my biggest fan. That pretty much leaves wanting to kill me. Mind telling me how I've wronged you?"
The young man spoke in a low barely audible voice. "Me? You've done nothing to me personally. Your sin is against a dear friend of mine. You killed someone really close to her. I'm here to kill you before she finds out. I won't let you crush all the progress she's made."
Otter stood there with an exhausted expression. He'd figured out the issue, but how's he supposed to say he's not only met her. He's also already worked it out with her…kind of.
"Umm, you wouldn't happen to be talking about Ana would you?"
The young man was shocked that Otter was able to figure it out so easily. "H…How the hell did you know?" The young man stuttered
Otter kind of felt bad for the kid. He clearly wasn't kept in the loop, and now he was making a fool of himself. "Uh, hate to tell you this, but I've been seen Ana. She's grown to be quite the spite fire, and a champion grudge holder. Still, me and her talked this out already. Can't say we're best friends or anything, but I don't think she wants me dead. Or at least she doesn't want to be the one to kill me."
The young man's face wore a conflicted mask. Otter was pretty sure he was trying to process and assess the validity of Otter's claim. The internal struggle went on for such a long time. Otter began to worry the man's brain may have melted.
Finally, after an eternity of waiting the young man had come to a verdict. "You're lying!"
Otter was in disbelief. "Are you fucking with me? You took all that time and that's your response? I'm out, I have dealt with enough stupidity today. Have a nice night, and Ana is sleeping at the Chief's place. Ask her what happened and get back to me." Otter began to walk past the kid mumbling "Every day I'm reminded, I should have stayed retired. My life has become a freaking circus, and at this point I'm the fucking clown."
The young man didn't stop Otter, but his blood lust didn't subside either. He walked towards the Chief's house, and Otter continued to mutter all the way to the inn.
Arriving at the inn Otter was met with even more annoyances. The inn looked a lot like a mansion, but older and more run down. The wood floors creaked and splintered. The wallpaper was peeling, and it smelled like an emergency clinic. Otter wasn't foreign to this type of living. When he was with Hebi this was a constant occurrence. Despite the fact that the jobs they took were high ranking and thus high paying. In less than a day they'd be broke from gambling, whorehouses, drinking, and whatever other vices the party had. He was supposed to be in charge of the money, but the party rarely if ever listened to him. They only did when they needed him to fix a mess they made.
The scene in front of him reminded him of his time in Hebi. The lady behind the counter was trying to figure out how many rooms, and the girls were bickering between two and one.
It took Otter a solid thirty seconds before realizing one room was an option. "Hold up girls! I'm not too sure about two rooms, but I'm damn sure we are not doing one room."
The girls turned around and flocked around Otter arguing their respective cases. Owl said one room since they've been sleeping next to each other this entire journey. Otter hated to admit it, but she raised a valid point. Puppy argued two rooms, one for the girls and one for him. This was his preferred choice, and Livvy argued for two rooms, one for Puppy and Owl and one for her and Otter. Otter had to fight his brain from thinking lewd thoughts about his compatriot.
After giving it some thought he said "How about we each get are own rooms?"
He received a unanimous response "NO!!!!"
Otter decided to recuse himself. "Ok heard loud and clear, but that leaves us with two rooms. I'm not sleeping in the same room with you all. Out in the forest is one thing. That's basically camping, but in a town guys and girls need to be separated. Now I'll leave the choice to you all. I'm going to find the kitchen and get some food. Join when you all are done." Otter sprinted away before they could object.
The girls joined him twenty minutes later with evil smiles on their faces. Otter didn't need to be told how many rooms. He hung his head in defeat and accepted his fate.
"Did you at least ask them for a room with double beds?"
The girls told him yes, but when they walked in the small room. Only a single bed was there to greet them. It was a big bed, which brought up the question of how often they get adventurers needing this kind of accommodation.
Otter saw an uncomfortable chair in the corner, but it beat the alternative of being in a harem sandwich. Otter made his way to the chair, but before he knew it he found himself smooshed. Owl and Puppy on either side, and Livvy on top of him like she was a cat. He tried to protest, but his appeals fell on deaf ears. The girls slept like babies, but Otter did not get a wink of sleep.
The next morning the party headed to the north entrance, and prepared to head out. They were waiting on Livvy, she wanted to stop by the clinic to thank Molly for helping her. Livvy took about an hour to do her rounds. Just as the group was getting ready to head out an all to familiar voice stopped them.
"Wait! Wait up you guys!" It was Ana and trailing behind her was the young man. "Thanks for stopping Otter. I have an announcement, and this idiot has something to say as well. Now go on Von and apologize."
The young man stepped forward and bowing said "I offer you my deepest apologies. Ana cleared up the misunderstanding, and told me she no longer wishes you dead. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Von and I am Lady Ana's sword and her shei…" A wallop to the head stopped him from finishing his thought, but Otter could guess his next words.
Ana's face was red with embarrassment and anger. She took a moment to recompose herself then spoke "I too am sorry for my idiot friend's rudeness. I made sure he understood the situation." Otter guessed violence was her method of explanation.
"So, you said you had an announcement? What's up, and please don't say it's that you cursed me." Otter said, his tired eyes sinking with the mere thought of it.
Ana laughed at the comment, which Otter was glad to see. He hoped this meant she was on the path to healing.
"I've decided that as of today I'll be joining you on your adventures. Feel free to bow and thank me for my magnanimousness."
Otter had a different feeling, but chose to see how the girls responded. When he looked at them he found them looking at him for his reaction.
Otter, who was way too tired to handle this asked "Why exactly are you joining us? I'm glad you're not trying to kill me, but this is quite the one eighty you're pulling here."
Ana didn't need to think long. "You may have changed a little, but I want to see this light of yours. So we'll see if you've really changed."
Von having finally gotten his witts back added "I too shall be joining your party. I can't trust a vagrant like you to protect my queen." He stopped when he saw Ana cocking back another hammer of a punch.
Sighing and popping two more antacids Otter said "Screw it, you both want to join? Congrats you're in, but the only rule is no trying to kill me. Also, I don't care if anyone wants to room together, but I get my own room and that is nonnegotiable."
Ana asked the obvious question "You guys slept in the same room, and the same bed?"
Otter rubbed his bloodshot eyes and turned to leave. Von asked "This isn't some kind of harem is it?"
Otter turned his head to face Von and answered "Nope, but we are a party of petty people…welcome aboard newbie."